GigaWatt

GigaWatt PC-1 EVO Power Line Conditioner

GigaWatt

GigaWatt PC-1 EVO Power Line Conditioner

PC-1 is the basic conditioner in the GigaWatt line of products, designed as an element of effective protection, filtering and power distribution for audio and video systems.

Despite the fact, that the PC-1 EVO is the cheapest power conditioner offered by the company GigaWatt, it proves itself as a device powering reference music and video gear. This conditioner not only effectively protects from any kind of interference and overvoltage in the power grid, but most of all warrants visible improvement of the sound and picture quality in the powered devices. The unit excels with a solid construction, usage of selected components and high quality and aesthetics of workmanship.

In the modular construction of the PC-1 EVO we resigned from using separation transformers and applied a worked out, multi-stage, parallel filtration instead. The conditioner is equipped with two independent filtering branches, separate for each pair of output sockets. Due to this solution the filtration of each of the branches was adapted to the character of the load, that will be used on those sockets, different for each kind of devices – digital, analog or high current draw units. The autonomous passive filters allow for isolation from interference generated by devices connected to a common power line.

The PC-1 EVO conditioner is made from high quality elements. Due to the increased efficiency of the new filtering circuits they were mounted using silver solder on massive PCBs with double-fold content of copper compared to standard PCB. The one layered PCBs have very wide conductive traces made from 70 micrometer thick copper. Damping of the interference is made in RLC type filtering blocks, built using, among other things, metallized polyester capacitors with low inductance and IP (Iron Powder) core filters.

In this conditioner we also resigned from using traditional protective elements, like wire or thermal fuses, which throttle the free flow of current to the protected circuits and by this have a negative influence on the sound. The overvoltage protection of the conditioner is guaranteed by the start block, which contains plasma spark gaps, next-generations of UltraMOV varistors and an initial filter. Those elements, working together with a well designed, modern power grid, warrant a complex protection against overcurrent and overvoltage.

Optionally, the power conditioner can be equipped with the circuit, which eliminates unwanted DC component from the mains (DC Offset Blocker). The Direct Current component (DC Offset) is a very unfavorable phenomenon, which exists in almost every electrical grid. It results in the Alternating Current (AC) sine wave become asymmetrical, what negatively influences any device using transformers. Their cores get magnetized, what translates in higher operating noise (hum), diminished efficiency of the power supply and finally in degraded sound. The DC blocker effectively eliminates this phenomenon without causing any compression or having any other negative influence on the sound.

Proper operation of the unit is signaled by a blue LED mounted in the front panel. The conditioner is also equipped with an additional circuit, signaling problems with its connection to the power grid. A red LED mounted on the back signals improper polarization of the power fed to the conditioner or bad connection of the grounding.

The PC-1 EVO uses an innovative, two stage current distribution system, being a proprietary development of the company. It is based on massive power distribution bars of 2nd generation, made from polished, high purity, cathode copper slabs (Cu-ETP). The first stage allows for lossless and equal distribution of power to the individual filtering branches. The second stage supplies power directly to each pair of output sockets, using crimped and screw-tightened connections and cabling made from electrolytic copper with a cross-section of 2.5 QMM. The use of the star wiring topology and the high conductance and massive cross-section of about 30 QMM of each of the bars warrants an equal and stable power distribution regardless of the load on any of the conditioner’s outputs

The PC-1 EVO conditioner is equipped with four high quality power sockets GigaWatt G-040 Schuko, designed and manufactured by the company. The brass connectors of those sockets were silver plated at the factory, without the usage of intermediary metals, like copper or nickel, which could introduce unfavorable series resistance and voltage loss. The increased area of contact and the thick layer of silver guarantee sure contact with the plug pins. The sockets were additionally subdued to cryogenic modification and a demagnetizing process. In order to effectively protect children, the G-040 sockets were equipped with integrated anti-surge shutters (increased protection against touching, conform with VDE 0620). The PC-2 EVO is also available with outlets of type NEMA 5-20R, used in North America and some Asian countries, and with Australian outlets of type AS/NZS 3112.

All internal elements of the conditioner were enclosed in a rigid, steel-aluminum chassis, which is supported on anti-vibration feet. The front of the unit is made from a plate of solid, milled aviation aluminum. This panel, with brushed and anodized surface is available in two colors – silver and black.

The PC-1 EVO is, by standard, equipped with the power cable LC-1 MK3 with 1.5m length. To fully utilize the maximum potential of the PC-1 EVO we recommend the usage of the LC-3 MK3 or LC-2 MK3 power cable.